Why not come along and have a cuppa with your local local Neighbourhood Police Officers and County Councillors.

Meetings are held in Wheatley House at 6pm on the following dates;

4 July 2018

29 August 2018

Why not pop along and discuss any issues you may have.

National Rural Crime Survey 2018

The National Rural Crime Survey was launched yesterday by the National Rural Crime Network.  

The “50 Years Without Our Pit” Miner Sculpture Project

In 2014 the village’s Mothers Club discussed the forthcoming 50th anniversary of the colliery’s closure in May 2018.

A member of the Mother’s Club proposed erecting a “statue” to commemorate this event. This led to local organisations forming a Funding Committee to raise the estimate £20,000 needed to have a sculpture fabricated in steel by the well know artist Ray Lonsdale.

The sculpture was to portray a typical 1960’s Wheatley Hill miner. Additional costs associated with the foundation, setting, surround and plinth brought the overall cost of the project to just over £25,000.

Over the last 4 years, village organisers, groups, clubs and individuals raised funds, put on shows, created fund raising projects and dug deep in order to raise the initial target figure of £10,000 with which funding organisations were approached and grant applications made. In 2017 that figure was surpassed and the community raised £14,000. The following organisations raised a further £13,000; The Sir James Knott Trust, CDCF East Durham Wind Farms Project, East Durham Area Action Partnership, Wheatley Hill Parish Council, Wheatley Hill Co -op Members, Durham Miners Association and the Freemasons of the Province of Durham Castle Eden Lodge.

The location of the sculpture, its ongoing security and insurance were issues that initially caused concern. Wheatley Hill Parish Council stepped in and offered  long term assurance by allowing the sculpture to be located in the Cemetery.

The artwork itself depicts a Wheatley Hill Miner, carrying a “Powder Box” over his shoulder, working the last shift at the colliery. He is positioned with a slight turn of his head toward the now reclaimed colliery surface infrastructure and pit waste heaps.

The official unveiling of the sculpture was held on 3 May 2018 at Wheatley Hill Cemetery.

 

As the nights draw in, crime rates can go up so here are some tips for staying safe this winter

1   Check all doors and windows are locked and always make it look like someone’s home. Put a lamp on a timer or play a radio when your house isn’t occupied

2   Don’t leave car keys or valuables on show. Especially near windows or letterboxes where burglars can reach through.

3   Never leave your car unattended while you defrost it. Don’t be tempted to turn on the demister and go back into the house.

4   Be mindful of where you go on dark nights. Avoid dark shortcuts and always park in well-lit places.

5   Only ever get in a licensed taxi. Be sure to check the vehicle plate and driver ID badge before entering.

Keep up to date with Met Office weather warnings at www.durham.gov.uk/weatherwarnings

 

 

Durham County Council presalt roads to prevent ice and frost forming. If heavy snow falls the County Council will clear the main routes first to keep public transport running for as long as possible.

You can watch live tracking of the gritters in action, together with planned gritting and confirmation of routes that have already been gritted at www.durham.gov.uk/winterinfo

Durham County Council can help get rid of most common pests for a one-off payment of £40.

They treat rats, mice, wasps, flying and crawling insects, moles and squirrels. For more information contact www.durham.gov.uk/pestcontrol or telephone 03000 261 000

It’s a crime not to care where your waste items end up. If your item ends up fly-tipped, Durham County Council can trace it back to you. They can then issue a Fixed Penalty Notice of £400 for fly-tipping and regularly prosecute fly-tippers and unlicensed waste carriers through the magistrates courts.

Tips to get rid of furniture and white goods legally

• Arrange a council bulky waste collection – book online at www.durham.gov.uk/bulkywaste or call 03000 261 000.
• Take items to a household waste recycling centre. See www.durham.gov.uk/hwr for locations and opening times. If you are visiting in a van, you’ll need to apply for a free permit beforehand. Visit www.durham.gov.uk/householdpermit or call 03000 260 000.
• If items are still in good working condition, donate to a furniture reuse scheme. Visit www.durham.gov.uk/reuse for a scheme near you.

For more information about fly-tipping visit www.durham.gov.uk/flytipping

 

 

 

A new older adult gym session will start at the Grenhills Centre on Wednesday 7 June 2017 at 3.30pm.

The session will include

• Exercise
• Weekly weight and measurements
• New recipe ideas
• Health advice
• Support using the gym

For more information contact Laura Brydon on 07809909364 or email laurs.brydon@pcp.uk.net or visit www.wellbeingforlife.net

Well being for life is launching a new Memory Café at the Greenhills Centre. The Memory Café starts on Friday 16 June 2017 2pm to 3.30pm and will be held weekly.

Refreshments will be provided. There will be games, chair exercises as well as health advice and activities.

For more information contact Laura Brydon on 07809909364 or email laura.brydon@pcp.uk.net or visit www.wellbeingforlife.net